Footprints: Iris Allen - Forever devoted to Christ

Born on May 5, 1938, Iris grew up in Bog Walk, St Catherine, with three sisters and two brothers. From an early age, she was always kind-hearted and everyone who knew her couldn't helped but to love her.

In Swamp Lane, Bog Walk, where she resided up until the time of her death, Iris was more commonly known as 'Miss Winny'.

Just like many other Jamaicans, Iris loved to cook and everyone who tasted her meals enjoyed them.

Not only did she cook, but she also cleaned. She enjoyed having a clean environment, so she would always be cleaning and this was one of the traits she passed on to her children and grandchildren.

"She would ensure that everything in the house was intact," her granddaughter, Treshan, recalled.

Miss Winny took pride in her dressing and as a result she would hear phrases like, 'What a way you look like young girl' from community members.

Iris was married to Ransford Hall.

She had nine children to whom she devoted her time, love and heart.

Roland, Stanford, Sherman, Kenneth, Lillian, Yvette, Doris, Beverly and Julliet were disciplined, taught moral values such as kindness and respect. She also instilled these and other traits in her 38 grandchildren.

"She taught us to do good unto others, no matter what,'' Treshan recalled.

"She told us to be strong. She told us to be brave. She told us to be positive," Treshan added.

Even in her last days, Iris continued to pray and worship God. On her last day - October 21 - she felt sick and sent for one of her granddaughters.

"When I arrived in her room, she said I must help her pray and read a Psalm because she feels like it was going to be the end of her. I sent for others to help us pray, and she gave shouts for mercy and worshipped her God," Treshan reflected.

A thanksgiving service for Miss Winny will be held on November 14 at 2 p.m.

Iris Allen was 77 years old when she died and, along with her children and grandchildren, she leaves behind 19 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives to mourn her death.